Help! - NJ/NYC train commuters

[SydSim]

I have accepted a job in Manhattan and will be taking NJ Transit from NJ into the city. I have narrowed it down to three stations that I think will work for me (to get into Penn Station). I would be getting to the station slightly after the morning rush hour. The stations are New Brunswick, Metropark or Rahway. I chose these three because the drive commute to the station would equal my ride commute from there into the city (so I would spend about the same amount of time driving as I would riding each day).

Does anyone have a preference on stations? Tips or advice? Does one station's parking area tend to fill up completely before the end of rush hour (thereby eliminating that station from my choices?). Any words to ticketing? I would be traveling into the city about 3-4x/wk.

Thanks everyone!

 

[ducklite]

I have accepted a job in Manhattan and will be taking NJ Transit from NJ into the city. I have narrowed it down to three stations that I think will work for me (to get into Penn Station). I would be getting to the station slightly after the morning rush hour. The stations are New Brunswick, Metropark or Rahway. I chose these three because the drive commute to the station would equal my ride commute from there into the city (so I would spend about the same amount of time driving as I would riding each day).

Does anyone have a preference on stations? Tips or advice? Does one station's parking area tend to fill up completely before the end or rush hour (thereby eliminating that station from my choices?). Any words to ticketing? I would be traveling into the city about 3-4x/wk.

Thanks everyone!

You'll be on the list for years to get parking at Rahway. New Brunswick parking is more than Metropark and can be a bear in rush hour.

You'll want to buy a monthly parking permit, this *should* guarantee you a spot. I'm not sure if Metropark has a waiting list for permits or not. Without a permit it's $3 a day with no guarantees that there will be daily spots open.

Where will you be living? The bus might be a better option.

Anne

 

[gina2000]

Consider the Woodbridge train station. There's a bit of a hike to the parking if you don't get there early but you can get parking.

 

[ducklite]

Consider the Woodbridge train station. There's a bit of a hike to the parking if you don't get there early but you can get parking.

IIR a lot of the trains don't stop at Woodbridge, although if the OP will be traveling during off-peak times, most of them are locals, so that might not be a problem. Is Woodbridge the station that they just built a nice new passenger area a couple years ago? (It's been awhile since I've ridden)

OP--One nice thing about Metropark is that there's a Dunkin Donuts right at the station. At New Brunswick you can wait inside until your train comes if the weather is bad, and downstairs there's a newstand. At both the parking is less than a half block walk from the station--it's right there at Metropark.

Anne

 

[gina2000]

Actually, I just did an informal look/see and between the hours of 5:30 and 8, Metropark has the most trains, 15, followed by NB which has 13, then Woodbridge 11 and Rahway has 8.

Woodbridge has a Dunkin' Donuts at the base of the station and it is the station that was rehabbed a couple of years ago.

I've commuted from both Metropark and Woodbridge. Woodbridge is much easier. You can't park in Rahway and I can't comment on NB.

 

[NewJersey]

I take the Jersey coast line everyday to work. I make sure to get the express trains every morning, and as much in the PM as possible (depending on my hour I leave). The Jersey coast line and the Northeast corridor share stops from Rahway through New York (although express trains skip those stops except Newark and sometimes Secaucus). The two lines split and the Northeast corridor goes down to New Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, Metropark, sometimes Jersey avenue, Princeton Junction (connecting train to princeton), Hamilton, and Trenton. The Jersey coast goes from Rahway to Avenel, Woodbridge, Perth amboy, south amboy, matawan, hazlet, middletown, red bank, little silver, monmouth track (in the summer), long branch, elberon, allenhurst, asbury park, bradley beach, belmar, spring lake, manasquan, point pleasant beach, and bayhead.

The express trains on the North Jersey coast usually go all the way up to matawan then south amboy, usually skip perth amboy, then hit woodbridge and express to newark. Each express train is different but that is usually the case.

The northeast corridor line is the busiest and they are redoing the metropark station since that is a zoo every day.

Where exactly do you live? I would avoid metropark since it is surrounded by offices and is the heaviest trafficked stop I think. Rahway isn't much better and express trains skip that. I would probably go for Woodbridge or South Amboy to be honest (there's a dunkin donuts at both and they just redid the Woodbridge station and are in the beginning stages of redoing South Amboy).

 

[SydSim]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I didn't think about the bus being an option - I was just thinking of the fastest way in and out of the city. I liken taking the bus to just driving in myself (which I can do, and have done). No traffic for the train coming out of the city in the evening

My commute now is just twenty minutes - no rush hour traffic either way. Thinking about a two hour commute each way is a little for me, so I am trying to minimize the time as much as possible. Also, I will still be working my first job occasionally, and may have to come right home from NY and go to my other job.

 

[DISUNC]

I work near the Meadowlands with no Train stations....so I have to drive...and cant help you.

Just wanna say Congrats & Good Luck on your new job!

 

[SydSim]

Where exactly do you live? I would avoid metropark since it is surrounded by offices and is the heaviest trafficked stop I think. Rahway isn't much better and express trains skip that. I would probably go for Woodbridge or South Amboy to be honest (there's a dunkin donuts at both and they just redid the Woodbridge station and are in the beginning stages of redoing South Amboy).

I live in the South Jersey area. I'll look into Woodbridge. Thanks

 

[ducklite]

I live in the South Jersey area. I'll look into Woodbridge. Thanks

Depending on where you are in South Jersey, the NJ transit bus from Old Bridge or Dayton might be a better option--and I think parking is free.

Anne

 

[SydSim]

Depending on where you are in South Jersey, the NJ transit bus from Old Bridge or Dayton might be a better option--and I think parking is free.

Anne

Thanks again for the info!

When I think about taking the bus, I just think about the bus having to get out of the city (just like the cars) in the afternoon. That is the part that I'm trying to avoid. The train doesn't have to deal with rush hour traffic on the road.

I was there yesterday, at 5pm, trying to get out of the city via the Lincoln Tunnel. Do the buses get to do something different? If so, I'll look into that option as well

BTW, I checked Woodbridge out. It does seems to be the best train option, so far. Thanks again for the info!

 

[ducklite]

Thanks again for the info!

When I think about taking the bus, I just think about the bus having to get out of the city (just like the cars) in the afternoon. That is the part that I'm trying to avoid. The train doesn't have to deal with rush hour traffic on the road.

I was there yesterday, at 5pm, trying to get out of the city via the Lincoln Tunnel. Do the buses get to do something different? If so, I'll look into that option as well

BTW, I checked Woodbridge out. It does seems to be the best train option, so far. Thanks again for the info!

The bus uses dedicated bus lanes and tubes. They are in and out very fast.

Anne

 

[CookieGVB]

I live in Toms River and take the bus. On a good day, it's about an hour and 15 into Port Authority, because it's express into the City.

You don't want to know about the bad days...

I know there's a park and ride at Asbury - you might want to look into that, depending on where you're coming from.

The train is more expensive, IIRC, and if you're on a local, takes more time than the bus would.

I looked into taking the train, but it's about a 25 minute drive to the station, and then the train's another 2 hours in. Bleh! The train commute is only better in the winter, and on summer Friday evenings.

Good luck with your new job!

 

[NewJersey]

The bus uses dedicated bus lanes and tubes. They are in and out very fast.

Anne

I would stay clear of the bus. I have a coworker who commutes by bus and the stories she tells me are . It takes her up to 2.5 hours one way.

Congrats on the job OP. if you take the train from Woodbridge, let me know! I take it from South Amboy so I'll look out for ya!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Syd, Congradulation on the job

You have alot of good advice from the people that are living in the area, good luck!

 

[shoes99]

Another vote for Old Bridge Park & Ride, express bus.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I drive. I know I know but I just love the control. This morning I left home at 6 a.m., stopped at DD for the morning coffee and was sitting at my desk at 7:15 Of course going home tonight should stink. Maybe I'll leave a little early since I'm not too busy.

Congrats on the new job and welcome to the world of NYC commuters!!

 

[nephthys43]

south amboy has a bad parking situation too. unless you're me and can park at the DAV hall on george (cause my pops runs it).

i usually do metro park though. the express trains are great, except when it's freezing out and you have to stand between cars cause there's no seats left.

 

[SydSim]

Thanks everyone. You all are awesome I'm going to try the train from Woodbridge. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[SydSim]

I take the Jersey coast line everyday to work. I make sure to get the express trains every morning, and as much in the PM as possible (depending on my hour I leave). The Jersey coast line and the Northeast corridor share stops from Rahway through New York (although express trains skip those stops except Newark and sometimes Secaucus). The two lines split and the Northeast corridor goes down to New Brunswick, Edison, Metuchen, Metropark, sometimes Jersey avenue, Princeton Junction (connecting train to princeton), Hamilton, and Trenton. The Jersey coast goes from Rahway to Avenel, Woodbridge, Perth amboy, south amboy, matawan, hazlet, middletown, red bank, little silver, monmouth track (in the summer), long branch, elberon, allenhurst, asbury park, bradley beach, belmar, spring lake, manasquan, point pleasant beach, and bayhead.

The express trains on the North Jersey coast usually go all the way up to matawan then south amboy, usually skip perth amboy, then hit woodbridge and express to newark. Each express train is different but that is usually the case.

The northeast corridor line is the busiest and they are redoing the metropark station since that is a zoo every day.

Where exactly do you live? I would avoid metropark since it is surrounded by offices and is the heaviest trafficked stop I think. Rahway isn't much better and express trains skip that. I would probably go for Woodbridge or South Amboy to be honest (there's a dunkin donuts at both and they just redid the Woodbridge station and are in the beginning stages of redoing South Amboy).

thank you very much! You seem to know a lot about the train that I am interested in taking.

I have decided on Woodbridge (I'm going to do a trial run driving to the station right now!)

Any other advice? My new job will require me to be in the city about 2-4x/week. Although the hours will probably change each week, I think that they will mostly be off-peak into the city. Should I buy a weekly or monthly rail pass? Should I just stick to daily? What about parking - should I get a monthly pass or just pay daily?

Also, I'll be getting to the station via the turnpike. I have directions from the turnpike, but if you have any extra advice, I would surely appreciate it!

Thanks again and I hope that i'm not too much trouble. (I am a little bit obsessive/compulsive about having my plans in order before I do something )